Dual cam magnetic latch system
A magnetic latch system including a latch assembly and a keeper assembly. The keeper assembly includes a magnetically attractable keeper pin. The latch assembly includes two base assemblies, one on either side of a movable gate element. The base assembly adjacent the keeper assembly includes a magnet and an internal actuator which is arranged to engage the keeper pin to move it away from the permanent magnet when one of the latch handles is manually rotated. The system may also include a locking system in one or both handles to fix the internal actuator in a locked position so that it cannot engage the keeper pin.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic latch, and, more specifically, a magnetic latch system useful for latching a gate to a fence post.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many types of gate latches have previously been used to secure different varieties of gates. Some gate latch mechanisms have used manual latches, magnetic latches, and other forms of latches. Prior art gates have not, however, employed a dual cam locking system to allow the user to open and lock or unlock the mechanism from either side of the gate.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that a need still exists in the prior art for a locking device that avoids the problems inherent in the prior art systems. Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved magnetic lock assembly which uses a dual cam system to allow the user to open and lock or unlock the mechanism from either side of the gate.
Another object of the invention is to provide a magnetic latch system adapted to secure a movable gate element relative to a fixed post element. The magnetic latch system includes a latch adapted for mounting on the gate element and a keeper assembly adapted for mounting on a relatively fixed post element. The keeper assembly includes a keeper base, a keeper housing mounted on the keeper base, a magnetically attractable keeper pin movably mounted on the keeper housing, and a coil spring for biasing the keeper pin in a substantially retracted position within the keeper housing. The first base of the latch assembly is mountable on the movable gate element and includes a rotatably mounted spindle, a handle mounted on the spindle for manual rotation, an internal actuator mounted on the spindle for rotation therewith, and a permanent magnet. The first base is adapted to be cooperatively arranged with the keeper assembly so that the permanent magnet attracts the keeper pin in a substantially extended position toward the first base when the keeper pin is adjacent to the permanent magnet. The internal actuator is arranged to engage the keeper pin and move it toward the keeper assembly away from the magnetic attraction between the keeper pin and the permanent magnet. The internal actuator is movable into a position where the keeper pin engages the base in a substantially extended position and disengages from the base when the keeper pin is moved by the actuator. The latch assembly further includes a second base mountable on the movable gate, the spindle mounted on the second base, and a second handle mounted on the spindle for manual rotation. The first and second bases are adapted to be cooperatively arranged with the moveable gate and the spindle so that the spindle rotatably traverses through the moveable gate.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the latch assembly further includes a second spindle mounted to the first base, a cylinder assembly mounted on the first base and in communication with the second spindle, and a protruding member in movable communication with the cylinder assembly so that the protruding member is arranged to engage a cavity defined in the base, thereby preventing rotation of the internal actuator. The protruding member is also movable to substantially disengage the cavity when the cylinder assembly is rotated, thereby allowing rotation of the internal actuator.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the second spindle is mounted to the second base. The second base also includes a second cylinder assembly which is in communication with the second spindle.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the second spindle is disposed through a cavity defined lengthwise in the center of the first spindle.
The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in
Cam actuator 32 is depicted in
The latch can be locked or unlocked from either side of the latch assembly. Side A housing 22 contains a protruding member 45 (as shown in
The latch can be opened from either side of the latch assembly. When the latch assembly is unlocked and assembled as shown in
A similar process is used to open the gate using handle 76 of side B handle assembly 18. Rotating handle 76 clockwise causes handle cam 72 to turn, which in turn forces handle spindle 14 to rotate clockwise. As spindle 14 rotates, cam actuator 32 rotates clockwise and the keeper pin 70 is subsequently allowed to return to its spring-bias in the keeper assembly. If handle 76 is rotated counterclockwise, cam actuator 32 will rotate counterclockwise and keeper pin 70 will retract.
Although the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that modifications, alterations, and additions can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A magnetic latch system adapted to secure a movable gate relative to a fixed post, said system comprising a latch assembly for mounting on said gate and a keeper assembly adapted for mounting on said fixed post;
- said keeper assembly comprising a keeper base, a keeper housing mounted on said keeper base, a magnetically attractable keeper pin movably mounted on said keeper housing, a coil spring for biasing said keeper pin in a substantially retracted position within said keeper housing;
- said latch assembly comprising a first base mountable on said movable gate, a spindle rotatably mounted on said first base, a first handle mounted on said spindle for manual rotation of said spindle, an internal actuator mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith, a permanent magnet mounted on said first base;
- said first base being adapted to be cooperatively arranged with said keeper assembly so that said permanent magnet attracts said keeper pin in a substantially extended position toward said first base when said keeper pin is adjacent said permanent magnet, said internal actuator being arranged to engage said keeper pin and move it toward said keeper assembly away from the magnetic attraction between said keeper pin and said permanent magnet;
- said internal actuator being movable into a position where said keeper pin engages said first base in said substantially extended position and disengages from said first base when said keeper pin is moved by said actuator;
- said latch assembly comprising a second base mountable on said movable gate, said spindle mounted on said second base, a second handle mounted on said spindle for manual rotation of said spindle, wherein said first base is arranged on a first side of said moveable gate and said second base is arranged on a second side of said moveable gate, said second side of said moveable gate opposite said first side of said moveable gate, and further wherein said spindle rotatably traverses between said first and second bases through a spindle cavity formed through said moveable gate;
- said first base and said second base adapted to be cooperatively arranged with said moveable gate and said spindle so that said spindle rotatably traverses through a spindle cavity formed through said moveable gate, wherein said first and second spindles are the only direct communication between said first and second bases;
- said first base further comprising a cam, a second spindle with first and second ends, wherein said second spindle is disposed through a cavity defined lengthwise in the center of said first spindle and the first end of said second spindle is in communication with said cam, a first cylinder assembly mounted on said first base and in communication with said cam, and a protruding member in movable communication with said first cylinder assembly so that said protruding member is arranged to engage a cavity defined in said base, thereby preventing rotation of said internal actuator; and
- said protruding member being movable to substantially disengage said cavity when said first cylinder assembly is rotated, thereby allowing rotation of said internal actuator.
2. The magnetic latch system of claim 1, said latch assembly further comprising:
- said second end of said second spindle mounted to said second base, a second cylinder assembly mounted on said second base and in communication with said second spindle.
3. The magnetic latch system of claim 1, wherein said keeper housing is slidably mounted on said keeper base such that said housing is adjustable relative to said base.
4. The magnetic latch system of claim 1, wherein the length of said spindle and said second spindle is adjustable.
5. The magnetic latch system of claim 1, said latch assembly further comprising:
- a second cylinder assembly mounted on said second base and in communication with said second spindle; wherein said protruding member is in movable communication with said second spindle so that said protruding member is arranged to engage a cavity defined in said base, thereby preventing rotation of said internal actuator;
- said protruding member being movable to substantially disengage said cavity when said second cylinder assembly is rotated, thereby allowing rotation of said internal actuator.
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7390035 | June 24, 2008 | Karcz et al. |
20050062296 | March 24, 2005 | Lyon |
20080296915 | December 4, 2008 | Clark et al. |
20090273194 | November 5, 2009 | Patterson |
Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 24, 2009
Date of Patent: Sep 4, 2012
Patent Publication Number: 20100244463
Assignee: Nationwide Industries, Inc. (Tampa, FL)
Inventor: E. Erik Timothy (Apollo Beach, FL)
Primary Examiner: Carlos Lugo
Assistant Examiner: Mark Williams
Attorney: Bond Schoeneck & King
Application Number: 12/410,060
International Classification: E05C 17/56 (20060101);